500 new Lidl distribution centre jobs
The West Midlands distribution centre would be the second in the region. It would form part of the company’s ambitions to create 2,500 new jobs in a £220M UK expansion plan, which was announced last year.
Full-time warehouse roles, which would operate on a three-shift basis, would be created at the site as well as office-based and managerial jobs, the discounter said.
The distribution centre, which would be located near the M6 in Wednesbury, Wolverhampton, would run seven days-a-week, according to Lidl.
‘Service stores in the West Midlands’
Ingo Fischer, a Lidl UK director, said: “The new Lidl warehouse will help service our stores in the West Midlands as our expansion across the UK continues.
“We are looking forward to offering our fantastic value and quality products to more customers, as well as bringing new jobs and investment to the area in the not too distant future.”
Lidl has conditionally acquired the site from land owner the St Francis Group and is working with property developer Opus Land to develop it.
Planning permission was already in place for an industrial development of up to 55,463m².
Opus Land said it expected detailed plans for Lidl’s distribution centre to be submitted to the council in the coming months.
At the end of 2014, Lidl increased its UK discount stores by 20 to 620.
It would continue to expand in a bid to further challenge the big four supermarkets: Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury.
The supermarket’s turnover reached £3.3bn last year and sales soared by 20% in 2014, compared to 2013.
Praised the discounter
Chancellor George Osborne, who will deliver his budget today (March 18), last year praised the discounter for creating so many new jobs.
“It’s great news that Lidl is investing in thousands of new jobs across the UK – each job means security and a better future for another family and the country as a whole,” Osborne said.
Lidl’s UK md Ronny Gottschlich said: “This latest phase in our growth is a testament to the continuing success of Lidl in the UK.
“People all over the country are realising they can make huge savings on their weekly grocery shop with us, without compromising on quality.”
Meanwhile, Community Foods secured a multi-million pound contract to supply Lidl last month.
The company, which supplies organic and conventional dried fruit, nuts, seeds, pulses, grains and health foods to manufacturers and retailers, said the new contract could represent 3% of its overall business, which turned over £60M last year.
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